The Japanese-American WWII Nisei soldiers from the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) will be honored in an exhibit of the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM), touring seven U.S. cities this year, as follows:

National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA: January 12 – February 17, 2013

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI: March 9 – April 14, 2013

Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, CA: May 4 – June 9, 2013

During its 6-week visit to Honolulu, March 9-April 14, Bishop Museum’s Castle Memorial Building will be the home of the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM). In addition to the Medal, exhibits from the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and other related organizations will also be on display. Two iPads programmed with CGM information from the National WWII Museum will also be part of the exhibit. In addition, exciting weekly panel discussions and film and documentary screenings will also be presented throughout this exciting and historic engagement.

A private, invitation-only VIP breakfast reception and ceremony will precede the official opening of the exhibit on Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to tour the CGM exhibit, as well as other exhibits at Bishop Museum, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., that day, for free. (NOTE: More information on the panel discussions and other activities during the CGM exhibit will be provided in our next release.)

The National Veterans Network (www.nationalveteransnetwork.com), the organizer of the national tour of the Congressional Gold Medal, has also created a curriculum for teachers to use in class, to give their students a deeper understanding of the units the Medal is honoring, as an important part of our history.

The Congressional Gold Medal is a tribute to the thousands of Japanese-Americans of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, commonly known as the “Go For Broke” regiments, and the Military Intelligence Service (or MIS) who dedicated their lives with honor and loyalty to the United States during WWII.

After the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1941, Americans of Japanese ancestry became victims of discrimination and negative stereotypes, and over 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-American citizens were held in internment camps throughout the United States. Despite the many challenges they – and their families at home – faced, the soldiers in these units were among the most highly decorated in U.S. military history. More than 4,000 Purple Hearts, 560 Silver Stars, 7 Presidential Units Citations, and 21 Medals of Honor were awarded to members of the GO FOR BROKE regiment.

Partnering to share these inspiring stories of valor and sacrifice are Bishop Museum, the National Veterans Network, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

The Congressional Gold Medal commemorative event is designed to celebrate these citizens and soldiers, and also to educate today’s youth who may have little recognition or understanding about these heroes.

The Ho‘oulu ka ‘Ulu project has developed and released a free educational app for the iPhone and Android called Talking Trees.

The Talking Trees app features suggested stops on Hawai‘i Island that offer the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of the island through stories of the ‘ulu (breadfruit). Information is conveyed through photos, articles and video interviews with local cultural practitioners. For people who want to learn how to cook with ‘ulu, the app also features award-wining breadfruit recipes. Other links include information about how to cultivate and use breadfruit and Hawaiian mythology.

“The goal for us in creating the app is to engage people in the culture, history and current uses of breadfruit,” says Craig Elevitch, Co-Director of the Ho‘oulu ka ‘Ulu project. “In addition to being a great food, there are so many fascinating Hawaiian stories about life as it relates to the ‘ulu. So much of Hawaiian mythology is relevant to life today.”

The Talking Trees app was developed with support from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Kūkulu Ola—Living Hawaiian Culture Program administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. A corresponding enhanced Google map was developed with support from the Atherton Family Foundation. Ho’oulu ka ‘Ulu is a project of the Hawai‘i Homegrown Food Network and the Breadfruit Institute of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

Learn more and download the app at breadfruit.info, or from the iTunes stores.

A workshop entitled “Value-Added Innovation for Hawai’i Growers: Making the Family Farm Profitable” will help growers hone their skills at adding value to their products and services. The free workshop will be held on March 20th in Hilo, March 21st in Kona, March 27th on Kaua’i, March 28th on O’ahu, and March 29th on Maui.

The Value-added Innovations workshop covers the process of developing a wide range of value-added products for local and export markets. Photos by Craig Elevitch

Competing with cheap imported agricultural goods, many Hawai’i farms have a difficult time selling their products profitably as raw commodities. The workshop will show how Hawai’i farm enterprises can differentiate their products to become more profitable, and therefore viable businesses.

“Small-farm enterprises are a crucial component of Hawai’i’s agriculture as we attempt to meet the diversity of our food needs,” says Dr. Robert Paull, an expert in crop quality at University of Hawai’i, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. “These enterprises need to be sustainably managed and economically viable. Value-added practices are essential for increasing potential for small farm profitability.”

Value-added practices include crop selection, cultivation techniques, harvest, and handling after harvest. All of these practices can improve quality and increase the price consumers are willing to pay. Photo by Craig Elevitch

The workshops will give participants insights into a range of subjects such as profitable crops and varieties, price setting for different markets and developing processed products. Participants will leave the workshop with an expanded understanding of adding value to all products and practices, while reducing risks and maximizing profits. The presentations emphasize ways to focus efforts at minimal cost for maximum effect, approaches that control risk, and resources for business planning.

“Adding value is an essential component of small farm sustainability,” says Ken Love, culinary educator and one of the workshop presenters. “There are many different ways to add value in growing, processing, and marketing products. This workshop is about finding those ways of adding value to your operation that are best suited for you and that are ultimately profitable.”

The workshop will be led by Craig Elevitch, Ken Love, and specialist presenters at each workshop location. Elevitch is an agroforestry educator whose most recent book Specialty Crops for Pacific Islands (2011), provides insights into sustainable cultivation and processing techniques for local and export markets with an emphasis on production methods, postharvest processing, and marketing. Love, widely known as a passionate advocate for the innovative small farm, is co-owner of Love Family Farms in Kona, Hawai’i, which produces a range of value-added products including jams, jellies, dried fruits, and coffee.

For more information and to register, visit www.valueadded.info or call 808-756-9437. The first 30 registrants for each workshop location will receive a free preview copy of the new publication (in press): Adding Value to Locally Grown Crops in Hawai’i: A Guide for Small Farm Enterprise Innovation. The workshop is produced with funds from the State of Hawai’i Department of Agriculture.

State Aims to Make Renewable Energy Accessible and Affordable for All, On-bill financing would open the renewable market to renters and low-income residents

WHAT: The House Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Consumer Protection & Commerce will hold a joint informational briefing with the Senate Committees on Energy and Environment and Commerce and Consumer Protection to provide an update on the creation of an on-bill renewable energy financing program for the state.

WHEN: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 1:00 P.M.

WHERE: Hawaii State Capitol Auditorium

WHY: On-bill renewable energy financing will make low-interest financing available to Hawaii’s renters and residents who have been unable to afford the existing cost of distributed renewable energy technologies. A related measure could take the next big step forward and provide significant capital in low-interest financing to help homeowners and renters cover the upfront costs of solar photovoltaic and other renewable technologies.

WHO: Internationally recognized expert in renewable energy financing, Cisco DeVries will join members of the Committees and industry stakeholders for the briefing. Mr. DeVries is President of Renewable Funding, which designs, administers and finances clean energy programs to state and local governments as well as the private sector – in the United States and abroad.

The funds come from a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will help the state repair roads and highways damaged by heavy rains causing flooding and landslides on Kauai and Maui in late February and early March 2012. Repair work will include emergency repairs to restore traffic flow, minimize existing damage, protect remaining facilities, and restore highways to pre-disaster condition.

“Last year, Hawaii experienced highly unusual and severe weather, including hail, a tornado, flooding, and landslides. Critical roads and infrastructure across the state sustained major damage, and this $17 million in federal assistance will go a long way to fund repairs and help get Hawaii moving again,” said Senator Mazie K. Hirono.

“Today’s grant of $17 million will serve as much needed assistance for the state of Hawaii to recover from last year’s tornado and hail storms that caused flooding and damage throughout Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Molokai,” said Senator Schatz, member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “This demonstrates the value of teamwork. From President Obama to Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood to the Congressional delegation to the State administration, everyone came through and the result is receiving $17 million for critical transportation needs.”

“Kauai and Maui experienced significant hardship following last year’s devastating rains, including destroyed roads, contaminated drinking water, and damaged homes,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “This $17 million federal grant will be a strong first step toward fixing our highways and getting people back to their normal routines.”

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu was notified that a Hawaii-based sailor was reported missing after he became separated from other members of his command during an open ocean swim training evolution off Kaena Point Tuesday afternoon.

An MH-65 dolphin helicopter crew out of Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and a response boat-medium crew from Coast Guard Station Honolulu were diverted from a training exercise at 6:30 p.m. to begin searching the area. A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew began assisting with the search at 1 a.m. Wednesday. The Honolulu Fire Department Air One helicopter and a fire department land company searched the sea and shoreline until nightfall. Coast Guard rescue crews continued to search the sea and shoreline throughout the night.

Search crews Wednesday include the contracted Navy tug Sea Commando, the Coast Guard Cutters Walnut and Kittiwake, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Honolulu, and Coast Guard aircraft. Ocean Safety crews aboard a jet ski and several assets from the Honolulu Fire Department, including the Air One helicopter, a 24-foot rescue boat and a shoreline crew are searching.

Sector Honolulu watchstanders are utilizing the Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System, a computer program which calculates environmental factors such as weather; wind, current speed and direction to determine a search area with the highest probability for locating a missing person in the water. In addition to SAROPS, Coast Guard crews have deployed three Self-Locating Datum Marker buoys to better assist rescue crews in coordinating their search patterns. The SAROPS program is presently in agreement with the physical datum marker buoys on the optimal search area.

For more information regarding the search, contact the Coast Guard’s 14th District public affairs office at 808-535-3230.

In response to a 9:30 a.m. call of a possible drowning, officers determined that a woman swimming near buoy No. 3 had discovered Prieto floating face down and unresponsive. The swimmer flagged down a tender boat from a cruise ship and the victim was pulled aboard. Personnel on the boat attempted cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and took the victim to shore, where Fire Department personnel continued CPR. They took the woman to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:57 a.m.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center presents the 9th Annual Girls’ Day Diva Festival on Sunday, March 3 beginning at 3 p.m. on the Campus Center Plaza. The event moves to the Performing Arts Center for a concert featuring Nani Lim Yap and Friends at 5 p.m.

“Everyone will then go to the Performing Arts Center where Nani Lim Yap and Friends will perform beginning at 5 p.m.”

Lim Yap is a gifted singer, hula dancer, ukulele player and the Kumu Hula of the award-winning Hula Hālau Nā Lei O Kaholokū. She hails from Hawaiʻi Island and is one of the “sweet angelic voices” of the popular musical Lim Family of Kohala. Along with her parents, brother and sister, their traditional Hawaiian music has spanned two decades. Aside from traditional Hawaiian singing, she is expanding her repertoire of jazz and contemporary songs and is currently planning a solo CD recording of her favorites.

The Girls’ Day Diva Festival is supported by sponsorship from local businesses. This year’s “Super Stars” include Business Services Hawaii, GW Construction, Hawaii Forklift Service, Inc., Hirayama Brothers Electric, and Ken’s House of Pancakes, and “Twinkling Star” Creative Arts Hawaiʻi. The proceeds of the event benefit the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center Scholarship Fund and the Performing Arts Center’s programs.

Waimea’s Friday Night Crew youth group is hard at work on its first-ever “Alcohol Logo Lampoon Contest,” open to all North Hawaii youth, grades 6-12. The Friday Night Crew will host a poster-making party at the Waimea Community Center on Friday, March 1 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. to help students complete their entry, and all are encouraged to attend.

“The idea is for young artists to create a poster that’s a ‘logo lampoon.’ In other words, mocking or making fun of a real alcohol company logo or advertisement, like ‘Mad Magazine’ used to do,” said youth group leader Beth Mehau. “In doing this, they are focusing on how alcohol would be advertised if they were telling the truth about the consequences of using it.”

Contest entries should educate/inform others about the deceptiveness (false information) of alcohol advertising. For example, “Wine Un-Cooler” is a lampoon way of saying alcohol companies promote the idea that drinking makes people look cool and attractive, when the reality can be quite the opposite.

Entries will be judged by the “deceptiveness/false information” in alcohol advertising (30%), creativity, imagination or humor (50%) and neatness, presentation and overall appearance (20%). There will be separate divisions for grades 6-18 and 9-12.

Deadline to enter is Mon., March 11, and posters can be dropped off at Mama’s House (adjacent to NAPA Auto) from 4 to 6 p.m. (Waimea Middle School students have until Tues., March 12 to submit to the school office). One entry per person, please.

The winners will be announced and given their prizes at the March 22nd Youth Group meeting at Waimea Community Center (near the ball park) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Awards to include: $50 Visa card to the top overall entry; $25 Visa card for 2nd Prize; gift certificate to Waimea Domino’s for a Medium Pizza and more. Plus, the first 30 students to submit their posters on March 11 receive a free t-shirt.

The Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which includes The Friday Night Crew youth group, Waimea Artists’ Guild and Mama’s House Thrift Store. The Friday Night Crew is a prevention-based youth group focused on community service, peer leadership and goal-directed mentoring. For additional information, contact: Beth or Tom Mehau at The Pantry, 887-2289.

Young people interested in aviation as a career or hobby, schools, Scouts, and families will want to attend Discover Your Future in Aviation at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This is the fourth year for the special aviation day, which will feature hands-on workshops, a career fair, flight lab, and interactive science exhibits. Participants can enter to win aviation prizes and take photos with aviation’s costumed characters such as Amelia Earhart, Rosie the Riveter, a Zero pilot, and friends. Girl and Boy Scouts can fulfill objectives for badge programs, also.

According to Executive Director Ken DeHoff, “It’s a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with aviation professionals and learn more about careers in aviation and the related sciences.”

Discover Your Future in Aviation is free with regular Museum admission and free to Museum members. To attend, purchase General Admission tickets online at PacificAviationMuseum.org

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, the organization responsible for preserving, perpetuating and promoting Kona’s nearly 200-years of unique coffee heritage, is excited to announce the launch of the 2013 Festival art contest. Centered around the 2013 Festival theme, “Kona In Your Cup, the winning design will be the feature on all 2013 official festival merchandise including the entry button, poster, t-shirt, website, magazine cover and other promotional materials, giving the winning artist great exposure among the thousands of festival-goers. The Festival has received some magnificent artwork through the years all depicting the cherished Kona coffee lifestyle and favorite brew. Artists are encouraged to be inspired by theme although no typography should be in their art entry.

Artists of traditional media including oil, acrylic, tempera, watercolor, illustrations and prints as well as computer graphics and photographers are invited to participate. Winning artist will receive $500 and be recognized in the 2013 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival magazine.

“The art contest is a fun time for the Festival. It launches the start of Festival planning and creates a new excitement for us, ” said Mel Morimoto, Festival President. “This year we’ve added prize money for the winning art, hoping to inspire our local artists to get out their paint boxes, keyboards or cameras! It’s going to be exciting and we look forward to seeing the entries.”

Artwork submissions are due by Monday, April 1, 2013 and should be delivered to Malia Bolton, Kona Coffee & Tea Company, 74-5035 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kailua Kona or electronically at maliabolton@gmail.com, with subject line “festival submission.”

The Festival will unveil the winning art at its Board of Directors meeting in mid-April. Winners will be notified by mail.

For more information or to request a copy of the artwork rules and guidelines, contact Malia Bolton at 808-896-7907 or email maliabolton@gmail.com.

Deadline for submissions is Monday, April 1, 2013. The winning artist will be notified in writing.

Winning entry becomes property of the Festival Organizers and will be used on all official festival merchandise.

The winning artist will receive $500 and be recognized in the 2013 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival magazine. Winning artist must be available for certain poster signings, press interviews and public appearances from September through November 2013 including Festival events from November 1-10, 2013.

Submissions may be original artwork or a digital file of art. If submitting artwork electronically, file should be at 300 dpi, approximately 8″ in its longest dimension. Winning art if submitted digitally may require a higher resolution file for print collateral.

No typography should be in the artwork.

Secure contact information (name, contact information) to the back of the entry.

Submissions should be delivered on or before Monday, April 1, 2013 to Malia Bolton, Kona Coffee & Tea Company, 74-5035 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kailua Kona or electronically at maliabolton@gmail.com, with subject line “festival submission.

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has filed a Notice and Finding of Violation and Order (NOVO) against Close Construction, Inc. for illegal solid waste activities that occurred in June 2012. The company was cited for operation of an unpermitted solid waste management system that was accepting large amounts of concrete rubble at TMK 950020030000, Kamehameha Hwy., Waipio, Oahu.

The violation was discovered during a DOH investigation of a public complaint. The department imposed a penalty of $5,600 and ordered Close Construction, Inc. to cease accepting solid waste and remove all solid waste from the facility. Close Construction, Inc. has requested a hearing to contest the allegations or order.

The DOH Solid Waste Section regulates standards governing the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of solid waste disposal, recycling, reclamation, and transfer systems. Such standards are intended to prevent pollution of the drinking water supply or waters of the state; prevent air pollution; prevent the spread of disease and the creation of nuisances; protect the public health and safety; conserve natural resources; and preserve and enhance the beauty and quality of the environment.

Three Talk Story sessions with Senator Russell Ruderman in Pahoa, Keaau and Pahala to discuss state legislation, community priorities, and how the public can participate in the legislative process.

Senator Russell Ruderman

A talk story will be held at Pahoa Neighborhood Center on Sat. Feb. 23rd from 10:00 AM to Noon, followed by another session at the Keaau Girl Scout Center on Sat. Feb. 23rd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. There will be a talk story held at the Pahala Plantation House on Tuesday, Feb. 26th from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.